SIERRA LEONE: THE ELECTION OPPORTUNITY Africa Report N°129 – 12 July 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................. i I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 II. ELECTORAL FEARS AND HOPES........................................................................... 2 A. NEW DYNAMICS AND OLD PARTY POLITICS .........................................................................2 B. NEW FAULT LINES IN THE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN PROVINCES..........................................4 C. THE NEC’S GOOD PERFORMANCE – SO FAR.........................................................................6 III. LIMITED IMPROVEMENTS IN GOVERNANCE................................................... 8 A. WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION...................................................................................................8 1. The unreliable bureaucracy .........................................................................................9 2. Diamond industry transparency...................................................................................9 3. Security risks ............................................................................................................10 B. ENTRENCHED DOMINATION BY THE CHIEFTAINCY ..............................................................11 C. SUSTAINABILITY OF SECURITY SECTOR REFORM ................................................................12 1. Army loyalty.............................................................................................................12 2. Police capacity..........................................................................................................13 D. POLITICISATION OF THE JUDICIARY .....................................................................................13 E. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MEDIA....................................................................15 F. UN SUPPORT FOR PEACEBUILDING .....................................................................................15 IV. CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................. 16 APPENDICES A. MAP OF SIERRA LEONE .......................................................................................................18 B. ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP .......................................................................19 C. INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS ON AFRICA ................................20 D. INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP BOARD OF TRUSTEES.........................................................22 Africa Report N°129 12 July 2007 SIERRA LEONE: THE ELECTION OPPORTUNITY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Sierra Leone holds presidential and legislative elections economic mismanagement is needed to rescue Sierra in August 2007. President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, who Leone’s reputation as a poor place for investment, but won a landslide victory in 2002 at the end of the civil each of the major presidential candidates is burdened by war, split the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) by history. Vice President Berewa is fully implicated in the anointing a successor, Vice President Solomon Berewa. current system. Margai was part of the administration When Charles Margai formed the People’s Movement for until 2005. Ernest Koroma of the APC has not held office Democratic Change (PMDC), the break-up rejuvenated himself but his party’s long-serving president, Siaka politics but also heightened tension in SLPP strongholds. Stevens, was an autocrat who introduced a one-party state. The All People’s Congress (APC), which gained in 2004 local elections, may be able to exploit this division. If the elections go smoothly and the new administration Return to a constituency-based voting system for starts with a strong reform program, Sierra Leone can parliament has reinforced the leverage of traditional chiefs profit from remaining international goodwill, exemplified in national politics and produced potentially vicious by the commitment of the UN Peacebuilding Commission competition. Sierra Leone is still a fragile state in which as well as of the UK and other partners, to achieve its peace will not be consolidated until two things happen. potential. If not, a return to conflict would again be a real The elections must be violence-free and fair for results possibility. In any event, the population’s tolerance of bad to be respected. Then the new authorities must deal with governance and lack of economic development is unlikely sources of discontent such as corruption, chiefs’ abuse to last much longer. of power and youth unemployment, lest they threaten stability. RECOMMENDATIONS The completely new National Electoral Commission To All Political Parties: (NEC) has started well and broadly inspires confidence. It has completed voter registration and has one month 1. Respect the voluntary Code of Conduct and, in after nominations close to produce and distribute ballot particular, instruct all officials and supporters papers. The choice of 11 August, the height of the rainy that violence, or calls to violence, will be swiftly season, as polling day will not make the task any easier. investigated and punished in accordance with law. National and international observers have a critical responsibility but it is also essential that allegations of 2. Deploy witnesses to voting stations all over the fraud or malpractice be adjudicated promptly and fairly. country to strengthen transparency of the polls. 3. Commit to a comprehensive post-election reform An escalating spate of house burnings, which started in program to tackle the popular discontent generated Pujehun District in January, indicated tension between by corruption, chiefs’ abuse of their powers and the SLPP and the breakaway PMDC. No one has claimed politicisation of the security forces and judiciary. responsibility or been convicted, a lack of clarity which is reminiscent of the war years and undermines confidence To the National Electoral Commission (NEC): in the re-establishment of rule of law. Although the police seem to have calmed the situation, more accountability 4. Develop a proactive communication strategy on is essential if recourse to violence is to become less shortcomings in administration of the elections and attractive. challenge the government to maintain a free, secure and fair environment throughout the electoral All parties are vying for the youth vote. Reconstruction period. efforts have done little to address the marginalisation of young people, and the next government must find a new 5. Establish decentralised coordination with the approach to boosting economic growth and increasing national police designed to produce quick reaction income-generating opportunities. A robust attack on to security incidents. Sierra Leone: The Election Opportunity Crisis Group Africa Report N°129, 12 July 2007 Page ii 6. Support civil society in conducting a dialogue to sensitise chiefs on the need for them to act impartially throughout the electoral process. To the Government of Sierra Leone: 7. Take all necessary steps, including approaches to Paramount Chiefs and security officials, to ensure even-handed policing and a level field for all parties and candidates during the campaign. 8. Ensure that government funds are not misused to support the ruling party’s campaign and that state- run media cover the election impartially. To Donors: 9. Maintain oversight and offer technical and logistical support during the election period with the overriding aim of minimising risk of conflict. 10. Immediately engage with the new administration to make clear that a break with past failure to tackle corruption is a prerequisite for long-term support. 11. Supplement the funds given through the UN’s Peacebuilding Fund so as to ensure sustained support for projects to create youth employment, good governance, justice and a capable public service. To the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission: 12. Strengthen local outreach strategies to emphasise the independent and apolitical nature of its funding under the Peacebuilding Fund. Dakar/Brussels, 12 July 2007 Africa Report N°129 12 July 2007 SIERRA LEONE: THE ELECTION OPPORTUNITY I. INTRODUCTION been isolated acts of violence since the beginning of the year, and tension is increasing, especially between the ruling party and the breakaway People’s Movement Since the civil war officially ended in 2002, Sierra Leone for Democratic Change (PMDC). With a return to a has made significant progress in consolidating peace and constituency-based system, the outcome is difficult to rebuilding basic government institutions.1 The state now predict. A proposed referendum on constitutional reform, has reasonable monopoly over the use of force. There is including such sensitive issues as a second legislative a functioning government, with an elected president and chamber and citizenship, has been shelved, and the new legislature, as well as a justice system which works, even National Electoral Commission (NEC) has corrected if slow and flawed. The army and police, with substantial fundamental irregularities identified in the previous support from the UK and others, have been rebuilt. Since elections. But police capability to contain violence will the UN peacekeeping force (UNAMSIL) withdrew in be under a spotlight, and the elections will be a good test December 2005,